Accountability and Feedback

Any problem can be traced to two causes. The first cause is lack of knowledge or, worse yet, having incorrect knowledge. The second cause is lack of accountability and feedback.

Why was I fat? Two reasons. First, I lacked the proper knowledge for how my body worked and I believed in some incorrect knowledge (myths) of how my body worked that were doing more damage than I realized.

My book and website (http://fewbites.googlepages.com/) can teach you the knowledge I used to lose my weight and control it ever since.

Second, I lacked, or blocked out, accountability and feedback. I discounted my BMI results. I figured I was special somehow and the BMI didn't apply to me. I didn't get on a scale often. I even had enablers. People who didn't tell me the truth or were simply unable to see the truth themselves or tried to convince me that weighing a reasonable amount was for the birds, a fools game.

I fixed the knowledge part. That's the basis of my book and much of the rest of my website. I also fixed the accountability and feedback problem. I get on the scale every morning. The scale doesn't lie. It's hard. Some mornings I want to avoid it. But, it's a needed dose of reality to keep me on my path. Without that measure of accountability I would veer off course.

I'll be writing more on the subject. Until then, consider how accountability and feedback may be holding you back. If you think you have the knowledge to lose weight, but haven't had much success, then accountability and feedback may be the next areas to focus on.

"Core Motivation"

A few months ago, a writer for a local newspaper wrote about a meeting she had with one of the trainers from the Biggest Loser. The writer has struggled with her weight and often writes about it. The Biggest Loser trainer told her that the reason she hasn't been successful is because she hasn't found her "core motivation."

I thought that was interesting. I started thinking about what motivates me to keep the weight off, but I couldn't come up with anything profound. I simply don't care for being overweight. If that's my core motivation, fine. But, it's simple enough and it's not some deep seeded psychological thing that happened to me in childhood. Or, if it is, I don't know about it yet.

The more I thought about it, the less I liked the idea of "core motivation". To me, the concept is an enabling mindset - as in, it enables you to be overweight because you can use it as an excuse: "I just haven't found my core motivation yet."

I'm much more of the Nike mindset: Just Do It.